Lately, California’s social media has been abuzz with sightings of hawks and owls hiding in community yards, stoking considerations among puppy owners about protecting their four-legged friends. We leveraged data from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, as well as other authoritative wildlife experts, on the threat Golden State raptors pose to puppies, from cats to small dog breeds.
Gallery Credit: Brad – Canva
Understand Your Local Avian Residents
To minimize any potential collisions between your pets and predatory birds, it’s imperative to know which species are common in your environment. In California’s varied habitats, from coastal spaces to urban areas, owls are common. They pose a much lower risk than larger birds such as eagles, which are rare in densely populated spaces.
Pets are on the raptor menu.
Despite the presence of birds of prey in California’s vast rural landscapes, the likelihood of an encounter with your pup is minimal. Larger birds of prey sometimes don’t consider pups to be prey. Cats would possibly be more threatened because of their size, but raptors sometimes avoid interacting with adult predators. If birds of prey are seen in your community, they are most likely chasing smaller wild animals, such as rodents, not your cub.
Greater Risks Threaten Beyond the Sky
Although birds of prey can pose a threat, it is similar to the possibility of winning the lottery. Caution is advised, especially if your puppy is small or has a tendency to wander outside. However, California’s terrestrial wildlife raises other, more significant aspects. threats to cubs, in addition to coyotes and mountain lions, or domestic dogs, than avian predators.
Share your stories
Our studies suggest that most puppies, with the exception of kittens and smaller toy breeds, sometimes come from raptors in California. Dogs weighing as little as 10 pounds are typically not at risk. If you’ve lost a cub to a bird of prey, your story can help others understand and mitigate those risks. Share your experience in the comments.
Gallery Credit: Dom DiFurio and Jacob Osborn
Gallery Credit: Nicole Caldwell
Find Out the Truth About Hawks and Owls in California Neighborhoods: Are Your Pets in Danger?
Learn More
Lately, California’s social media has been abuzz with sightings of hawks and owls hiding in community yards, stoking considerations among puppy owners about protecting their furry companions. We leverage data from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, as well as other licensed wildlife. experts, about the threat Golden State raptors pose to puppies, from cats to small dog breeds.
Understand Your Local Avian Residents
To minimize any potential collisions between your pets and predatory birds, it’s imperative to know which species are common in your environment. In California’s varied habitats, from coastal to urban areas, owls are common. They pose a much lower risk than larger birds such as eagles, which are rare in densely populated spaces.
Pets are on the raptor menu.
Despite the presence of birds of prey in California’s vast rural landscapes, the likelihood of an encounter with your pup is minimal. Larger birds of prey sometimes don’t consider pups to be prey. Cats would possibly be more threatened because of their size, but raptors sometimes avoid interacting with adult predators. If birds of prey are seen in your community, they are most likely chasing smaller wild animals, such as rodents, not your cub.
Greater Risks Threaten Beyond the Sky
Although birds of prey can pose a threat, it is similar to the possibility of winning the lottery. Caution is advised, especially if your puppy is small or has a tendency to wander outside. However, California’s terrestrial wildlife raises other, more significant aspects. threats to cubs, in addition to coyotes and mountain lions, or domestic dogs, than avian predators.
Share your stories
Our studies suggest that most puppies, with the exception of kittens and smaller toy breeds, sometimes come from raptors in California. Dogs weighing as little as 10 pounds are typically not at risk. If you’ve lost a cub to a bird of prey, your story can help others understand and mitigate those risks. Share your experience in the comments.
– Chance of hitting an animal in 2023: 1 in 907 (0. 11% of drivers)rn- Risk Level: Low